I used to be stubborn about my business direction, goals, and focus—never letting anyone or anything sway me. Now I see that was a rookie mistake. In 2025, clinging to outdated formulas is a fast track to irrelevance. Just like EBONY magazine, which struggled for years because it refused to evolve beyond its old-school approach, many businesses fail because they ignore the need to keep learning and adapting.
Back in the day, EBONY’s owner, John H. Johnson, stuck to a decades-old formula, ignoring technology and shifting cultural trends. Readers moved on, and the magazine paid the price. Today, that same stubbornness kills businesses faster than ever—especially with AI, automation, and the creator economy reshaping industries overnight.
I recently walked past a music store stuck in the 1970s—dirty beige carpet, fake wood paneling, and zero customers. Next door, a sleek Mac repair shop was packed. That contrast says it all: businesses that refuse to learn and modernize get left behind. Your business is like your child—if you don’t listen when someone points out its flaws, you’re just enabling failure.
Not long ago, a guy who’s never been my biggest fan threw some harsh truths at me about my business. Instead of shutting him down, I listened. And guess what? He was right on several points I’d never considered. That moment reminded me that sometimes, the best growth comes from shutting up and absorbing feedback—even when it stings.
One big problem with older entrepreneurs and professionals is being set in their ways and unwilling to learn from younger generations. Nearly everyone over 45 I know struggles with this, wondering why they can’t land new gigs. But in 2025, the game has changed: AI tools, automation, and digital platforms demand constant upskilling. If you’re not learning, you’re obsolete.
Continuous learning isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the lifeblood of business growth and survival. According to recent research, skills now have a shelf life of about five years, and companies that invest in ongoing employee development see higher retention, productivity, and innovation. In fact, 94% of workers prefer to stay with employers who prioritize their growth[1][2][4].
In today’s fast-evolving landscape, traditional one-and-done training won’t cut it. Businesses must embed continuous learning into their DNA, leveraging AI-powered personalized learning platforms and real-time data to keep teams agile and competitive[2][3]. This approach not only boosts performance but also fuels career advancement and job satisfaction.
For entrepreneurs and creators, embracing this mindset means constantly experimenting with new tools, platforms, and business models—whether that’s harnessing AI to automate tedious tasks, tapping into the creator economy to build communities, or pivoting quickly based on market feedback. Growth demands humility, curiosity, and a willingness to evolve.
So, if you want your business to thrive in 2025 and beyond, stop pretending you have all the answers. Stop clinging to the “tried and true” from decades ago. Instead, commit to learning every day, listening even when it’s uncomfortable, and adapting faster than your competition. Because when we stop learning, we stop growing—and in today’s world, that’s a death sentence.
Kevin "KevRoss" Ross is a music and radio industry expert. He is a 20 -plus year entrepreneur with the leading most successful industry trade publication and site Radio Facts (www.radiofacts.com). He has also published various books, magazines, performed marketing and promotions for major corporations and recording artists and he is on the advisory board of several industry organizations. This year Ross introduced his non profit organization LOMARI (Leaders of the Music and Recording Industry) to help teach young minority students how to market and manage their music and products.
